You may have heard of a server system called LAMP, and wondered
what it is. Well, the answer is that LAMP isn’t any one thing on
its own - it’s actually a combination of four technologies.
Together, the LAMP technologies form the most popular overall
server system on the web today.
Which technologies are they? The answer lies in the name. LAMP
stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL and Perl/PHP. The term
originated as a marketing word to help point out that open
source (free) software, when combined, could be just as
effective as expensive ‘enterprise solutions’ like J2EE (Java)
or Microsoft’s .NET. To understand the system, let’s take a look
at the components individually.
Linux
Linux is widely considered to be the open source operating
system of choice, and the main alternative to Microsoft Windows.
Thousands of volunteers from all over the world work on Linux
and create programs for it. At its heart, the system is
more-or-less a Unix derivative, which means that it’s very
stable and fast. While widespread adoption of Linux for the
desktop seems far off, mainly because of the difficulty of
getting people to switch, it isn’t stopping Linux from doing
very well on web servers.
There are many different varieties of Linux, known as
‘distributions’, with each one focusing on different features.
Some popular distributions include Debian (www.debian.org), SuSE
(owned by Novell, www.novell.com/linux/suse) and Red Hat (free
version at fedora.redhat.com). If you’re thinking of trying out
Linux on your own computer, you might like to look at Ubuntu
(www.ubuntulinux.org), which is a less technical and relatively
easy to use distribution.
Apache
Apache is the world’s most popular web server bar none. It was
based on the second-ever web server, which was developed at the
NCSA, and its history goes back as far as 1995.
For all intents and purposes, Apache has become the industry
standard server: it would be silly to say that Apache isn’t
suitable for business use, considering that it is included in
enterprise packages like Oracle and IBM’s WebSphere. Apache is
developed by the non-profit Apache Foundation (www.apache.org).
MySQL
MySQL is a relational database, popular because of its relative
simplicity and the fact that it’s free. It is considered to be
much easier to set up and use than more ‘traditional’ database
software, and MySQL databases can be managed using a range of
graphical software. MySQL is controversial among database
professionals, however, as its developers haven’t included many
complicated advanced features, feeling that they would make the
software too difficult to use without making it any more useful.
MySQL is developed by a Swedish company, MySQL AB, and its
website is www.mysql.com.
Perl and PHP
Perl and PHP are both scripting languages, and they are both
often used as the ‘glue’ that makes a database-driven website do
what it should. However, the two languages, are very different:
Perl is powerful but hard to read, while PHP is simpler but more
limited. Choosing between them is largely a matter of
preference, which is why they’re both included in the system -
some people also include a third P, Python, as an alternative
language.
If you’re starting out, it’s probably best to use PHP - the
official site at php.net has good tutorials and references on
the language. Perl’s site is at perl.org, but you should only
really start with Perl if you’ve got some previous programming
experie Getting LAMP.
If you want to get the whole LAMP system together instead of
downloading the components separately, a good place to go is
www.apachefriends.org/en. They offer it for download - don’t
worry, all the software is free. You don’t get Linux, but you
get everything else, and it will install easily on most
operating systems, including Linux and Windows.
LAMP Variants
There are a number of LAMP variants that replace parts of the
system. While these systems aren’t as popular, they’re still
worth knowing about and considering.
WAMP: Windows replaces Linux. MAMP: Mac OS replaces Linux. AMP:
Apache, MySQL and Perl/PHP running on any operating system.
LAPP: PostgreSQL replaces MySQL. LAMJ: JSP replaces Perl/PHP.
There is also the insulting-sounding term WIMP, which means that
Windows replaces Linux and IIS replaces Apache - this is
considered to result in a much worse system than LAMP.
A friend of mine is an avid photographer. He has a DSLR with a load of accessories and a series of nice lenses. He recently bought one that cost an arm and a leg and he was pretty proud of it.
On the other side of the coin, my father has a lens for his film SLR that he bought over 30 years ago. It is ragged, chipped and squeaks a bit. But he won’t part with it. It was cheap(ish) but it lacks some of the functionality of my friend’s DSLR lens.
My friend’s lens is huge. I can see him coming in the distance simply because he had a large photo-rucksack on his back to hold all his equipment. It is a splendid piece of glass but requires a tripod or monopod for all but the brightest of conditions.
The lens is also white. It stands out and says to everyone “I am a lens to look at”. My friend loves it and gives him added impetus to get out there and take pictures.
My father, however, gets the same results - and has been doing for 30 years - with his rag-bag of assorted accessories, some of which are nearing the end of their useful life. His lens, although tatty, produces excellent results and gets HIM out in the field taking shots, just like my friend’s does for him.
My father’s lens doesn’t choose the subject for him, compose the scene and tells him at which point to release the shutter…
…. nor does my friends.
And therein lies the reason why my father is a successful champion of many camera club competitions where my friend has yet to win one
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.
Some of the top of the capital’s restaurants are stated to be some of the very best on the planet. Connoisseurs may go a long way to dine in these locations and oftentimes one may be compelled to book a place ahead to get your place, or maybe to be willing to perch in the venue’s drinks area for a small number of glasses of wine until a table is free. A principal spot to feast at is the Ping Pong restaurant; this is a celebrated, contemporary spot to feast in. This exquisite & ritzy spot serves up a few of the leading Dim Sum dishes that you will ever come across, a remarkable collection of delicious tea and first class cocktails. Should you delight in Dim Sum meals, this spot has got to be up there with the top notch places to feed at.
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Electric Birdcage spot based in St James St. is a venue where folk’s creativity may run all over the place! In this new hang out their cuisine is based upon innovative Asian meals & it has been declared as being a must try - their cocktails are tremendous and it’s top drinks must be experienced by all of us. Our capital benefits from scores of pricey, ritzy places to eat, but don’t forget it furthermore is able to provide a myriad of cheap restaurants, many of these are similarly our city’s humble and concealed jewels. Find out about all of London restaurants with Time Out.
This metropolis, as is well appreciated, is one of the most impressive places on earth - nonetheless don’t forget it is sometimes a bit costly. If you are seeking super, low cost dining then you’re in the perfect setting to get it, providing one is looking in the correct spot. The capital contains stacks of fabulous choices - pizza houses, low priced Italian cafes and zillions of vegan establishments. The Gourmet Burger Kitchen’s a wonderful burger joint that is inspired by countless marvellous burger houses situated around the U.K. There exists each and every combination of burger one can conceive of, and that means it’s got burgers to cater for every person. GBK is really competitive, and their portions are massive, there is definitely no compulsion for getting any more in this joint. Masala Zone’s a pioneering bunch of modern Indian restaurants. These places are all fairly priced and have classic Indian Street goodies, awesome for when one needs to dine, nevertheless your dinner plans mustn’t be for overly long, or may be pleasing for those times when one is going out with a party of mates & you are searching for a place with super nosh and also a vibes to match.